This message is to notify you of upcoming impacts to the Clear Creek Channel navigable waterway under the SH146 bridge. The closures listed below have been approved by TxDOT and the U.S. Coast Guard and are necessary for the construction of the SH146 expansion project.

The north (inbound) channel, directly under the SH146 bridge, will be completely closed beginning at 8:00 am on Monday, July 29, 2019. This closure will be in place continuously for approximately one month.

This closure will allow the contractor to remove the existing fender system so they can begin constructing new bridge foundations.

The south/outbound channel will not be obstructed by other work on the SH146 project while this closure is in place.

Two-Way Channel Traffic Management

Please be advised that the south (outbound) channel will have two-way traffic during this time. The two-way traffic will be managed as follows:

Traffic will be directed by a green and red signal on each side of the channel, indicating allowed direction of travel in the channel based on time. Inbound traffic is only to pass through the channel in the first half of each hour, and outbound traffic only to pass through in the second half of each hour.

Electronic message boards will be mounted on either side of the channel and additional boards have been placed on both approaches to the channel to assist with notifying approaching vessels.

Flaggers on boats will direct traffic during daylight working hours (Monday-Friday and on Weekends).

To assist boaters in navigating through the correct channel, chains of red round buoys will be placed delineating the edge of the travel to the open channel, and prevent boaters from entering the closed channel.

At various times law enforcement assets will be on-scene to included Galveston County Sheriff’s Marine Division and U.S. Coast Guard to ensure adherence to this marine traffic management plan.

The closure will consist of two barges side-by-side within the channel as depicted below.

The south (outbound) channel, directly under the bridge will be completely closed beginning immediately AFTER the previous north (inbound) channel closure is removed.

This closure will be in place continuously for approximately one and a half months, pending Coast Guard approval. This closure will allow the contractor to remove the existing fender system and begin driving concrete piles for new bridge foundations. Additional notifications will be sent once the specific start date for this closure is known.